Unifying lazy and strict computations

  • Authors:
  • Walter Guttmann

  • Affiliations:
  • Institut für Programmiermethodik und Compilerbau, Universität Ulm, Germany

  • Venue:
  • RAMiCS'12 Proceedings of the 13th international conference on Relational and Algebraic Methods in Computer Science
  • Year:
  • 2012

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Abstract

Non-strict sequential computations describe imperative programs that can be executed lazily and support infinite data structures. Based on a relational model of such computations we investigate their algebraic properties. We show that they share many laws with conventional, strict computations. We develop a common theory generalising previous algebraic descriptions of strict computation models including partial, total and general correctness and extensions thereof. Due to non-strictness, the iteration underlying loops cannot be described by a unary operation. We propose axioms that generalise the binary operation known from omega algebra, and derive properties of this new operation which hold for both strict and non-strict computations. All algebraic results are verified in Isabelle using its integrated automated theorem provers.